My Goodnight Book

by Eloise Wilkin

A little girl goes through all the proper bedtime routines. On board pages.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Family, Juvenile, Childrens Classics, Classics

12 pages, Board book

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Eloise Margaret Wilkin was an American illustrator whose work became synonymous with the visual identity of Little Golden Books and shaped generations of readers through warm, idealized images of childhood and family life. Trained at the Rochester Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute, she began her career illustrating schoolbooks, paper dolls, and early children’s titles before establishing herself in New York publishing. In 1944, she signed an exclusive contract with Simon and Schuster to illustrate Little Golden Books, producing several titles each year and becoming one of the line’s most recognizable artists. Her watercolor and colored pencil illustrations were celebrated for their soft light, gentle realism, and affectionate portrayals of babies, toddlers, parents, and domestic scenes, often using her own children and grandchildren as models. Wilkin also illustrated religious books, calendars, records, and magazines, and adapted earlier artwork to reflect changing cultural and social awareness. Beyond books, she designed dolls for Vogue and Madame Alexander, extending her influence into popular culture. Her illustrations remain highly collectible and enduringly influential in American children’s publishing.

Reviews

[Crystal Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books as a child. If you are lucky enough to be able to find a copy, buy it. You won't regret it.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book for the pictures. It was very relaxing after a bath, but I'd always hurry my mom to get to the last page because I loved to stare at the little girl's room. I'd look at every detail. It was really mesmerizing and would leave me with sweet dreams.

[Angel Pickard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a favorite when I was a little girl and now I’m reading it to mine. I believe at the time of this review it is out of print but it is worth securing a copy. It is gentle, sweet and loving. The illustrations are beautiful and detailed. I remember as a child loving the little girls bedroom and looking for any new items I could have missed in the 100’s of other readings. A delightful treasure!

[Esther May · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet book. This book shows all the things that a little girl does before she goes to bed. I love how this book includes saying prayers before going to bed. I recommend this book to anyone who has a baby girl. There are plenty of used copies of this book for sale for $1.00-$37.00.

[Dianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books my 20-month-old latched on to and loved. We had to read it every night before bed, and afterward he took it into his crib with him. He spent quite a long time (for a baby) examining the pictures on each page.

Too bad we had to give it back to the library.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book used to be part of my bedtime story routine as a child and now it is part of my children's routine. I always wished my bedroom looked like the girl's room; now my 4-year-old daughter wants to use it as a blue-print for her own room (along with Fancy Nancy's room, of course)

[Blair Hodges · Rating 5 out of 5]

By now I've read this book more than any other book in my life, I'm sure. Making it part of baby's nighttime routine was a great idea. She knows when the book comes out what time it is. Very sweet when she says "Guh-Guy" ("goodnight"), sometimes before we're even through reading it.

[Miki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my daughter's favorite book. We both loved the illustrations of the little girl's bedroom, and we read it together often

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful illustrations and narrative join in this charming look at bedtime routines and rituals. My children loved this book when they were small. Worthy of a reprint in my opinion.

[Selene · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mom read this to me as a child and now I am so blessed to read this to my babies ❤️❤️❤️

[Rosabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was a wee girl, this was one of my FAVORITE books, and I requested it often (probably every day). For the first time in over 30 years, I found and read a copy. Even as an adult I can understand the appeal of this book, and I imagine it was no hardship for my parents to read it over and over and over and, well, you get the picture.

The text is very basic and frankly, nothing special. The illustrations, however, tell the real story. They're beautiful! They're also perfectly paced to the bedtime routine. Honestly, anything illustrated by Eloise Wilkin would be a delight to explore, but her gentle and reassuring illustrations in My Goodnight Book are especially perfect for winding down at bedtime.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book, as a child. I would read it over and over again. I think it's the pictures that captivated me, or perhaps it was the similarity between the girl in the story and myself.

I had two copies of this book. The first one was bought in the 80s. I still have this one. The second one was bought around the year 2000. I gave that copy to my niece, Chloe, when she was two years old.

It's interesting to note that they both have a slightly different shape (they're shape books), but everything else is the same.

[Ruth Soz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book dearly, and now my mom has it to share with her grandchildren! My brother gave this to me when I was just a wee little one, but he said the little girl on the cover actually looked more like our sister. :)

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was one of my favorite books as a child, and i still have it. i think it's the illustration that is so endearing. i had it memorized and would recite it page for page at age 2-3. the best bit is that the little girl, the dad and the mom looked exactly like me, my dad and my mom.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mom read this to me every night!! Now I love reading it to my kids.

[Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

we read it everynight,its ly's fav.

[Alana/MiaTheReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Eloise Wilkin book from my childhood that my daughter now loves. Eloise Wilkin is just timeless.

[Sammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

My dad used to read this to me every night before I went to bed. It is very cute and can make a bed time routine a fun and easy time for any little kids!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember my Dad reading this to me.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute! My daughters love to read about this bedtime routine! Endearing illustrations!

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book I could "read" as a little kid.

[Jorgina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Eloise Wilkin, this book is a sweet "get ready for bed" book. The little girl wears a pair of pajamas identical to my daughter's when I bought the book back in the '80's

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have wonderful memories of reading this book to my daughter! Adorable!

[Jeremy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The little girl kneels and says her prayers before bed. I wish our girls had bedrooms like that.

[megan clough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

[P.S. Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great pictures add to this cute story that will help children prepare for bed, something adults may find is never quite as easy as they would like.

[Cindy aka "The Book Fairy" · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an adorable childhood classic type...still have my copy I read to my own children :)

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

The little girl pictured here looks very much like my sister and myself at that age. The old fashioned clothes were probably the result of pop culture at the time was in a nostalgic mode with Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Little House on the Prairie and The Waltons.

For new parents, this book shows the bedtime rituals which are so important for the developing mind. It doesn't matter if you start the routine at 8:30 or 10:00 but doing the same routine nightly helps calm your child and soothe their minds for sleep.

[Riley Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a timeless treasure that perfectly captures the essence of a peaceful bedtime routine. With its enchanting illustrations and gentle storytelling, this book creates a cozy and comforting atmosphere for little ones. Each page is a delightful invitation to snuggle up and follow along with the adorable characters as they prepare for a good night's sleep. Eloise Wilkin's exquisite attention to detail brings the story to life, capturing the innocence and sweetness of childhood.

[Little Seesaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book to my children so many times. They loved it. We always pretended to eat some candy out of the candy dish. The illustrations are wonderful. Nobody can capture children like Eloise Wilkin. Also, I love that they say goodnight prayers. you just don't see this in children books very often nowadays. Also, you know you are old when you use the word nowadays.